Electric-lamp socket



(No Model.)

H. E. SWIFT. I ELEGTRIG LAMP SOCKET.

Np. 458,242. Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

zflllfiraesses. Zia/swim? UNITED STATES.

.ATENT FFICE.

HORACE E. SlVIFT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC-LAMP SOCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 458,242, dated August 25, 1891.

Application filed March 23, 1891.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE E. SWIFT, of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Switches for Incandescent Electric Lamps, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters and figures on th drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to improve the construction of switches for incandescent electric lamps; and it consists in details of construction to be hereinafter pointed out.

Figure 1 shows in vertical section an incandescent-electric-lamp socket embodying this invention, the shell orcase being broken away to expose the switch; Fig. 2, a'vertical section of the parts shown in Fig. 1, taken on the dotted line w :13, the shell or case being removed; Fig. 3, a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the shell or case being removed; Fig. 4, a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the shell or case being removed.

A block a, of rubber or other insulating material, is cut away to form a support for the various parts of the switch. To the post a on the block Cb a metallic plate I) is secured, which is bent at its lowerend to present a fiat portion 1), which rests on the base of the block a, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said plate being connected with one terminal of the lamp, as c, for instance. A small plate d is placed on the plate I) and held thereto by suit able screws, and between these plates 2) cl a circuit-wire is placed. To the opposite side of the post a of the block a another plate, as e, is secured, which extends down through the base of the block and connects with the terminal d of the lamp, and which is bent at its upper end at substantially right angles to present a plate e, which lies between the posts a a of the block ct. To the post a a plate f is secured, which is bent at substantially right angles, as shown, to present a plate or portion e lying between the posts a a and just below the plate or portion f. A small plate 9 is secured to the plate f by suitable screws and the other circuit-wire is placed between the plates f and g.

A shaft or arbor t' has its bearings in the posts a (R, which has at its outer end athumb piece 2', and on said shaft between the posts a a a rectangnlarblock t is mounted loosely. said block being cut away, as at i Figs. 2 and 3, to receive pins 2, projecting from the shaft.

The contact plates or portions 6 f are made spring-acting, and are adapted to bear on one or another side of the rectangular block i, and as said block is turned the said contact-plates e f will be elevated until the corner of the block arrives at such a point as to allow said springs to move the block independently of the shaft, such function being common in jump or quick-acting switches.

It will be seen that when the block is in one position (see Fig. 2) the contact-plates e f will bear on each other, and when in another position (see Fig. 3) said plates will be separated, and when the plate 6 is lifted against the plate f by said block a slightly-rubbing contact is obtained.

I claim In aswitch for incandescent lamps, the combination of the following instrumentalities, viz: a block Ct, having posts a a a plate I), having a portion or plate I) connected with one terminal of the lamp, the plate 6, connected with the other terminal of the lamp and having the contact-plate e, the plate f, having the contaet-platef', adapted to make and break connection with the contact-plate e, the said contact-plates e f being springacting, the rectangular-block 1 the shaft i, on which it is mounted, and the pin 2 and thumb-piece i, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihavesigned my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HORACE E. SYVIFT.

\Vitnesses:

BERNICE J. NoYEs, EDWARD F. ALLEN. 

